Ireland’s difficult Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series campaign ended on a high note with a late 37-36 win against England.

Despite the result Ireland finish bottom of Pool A, with England, who started the day in third, picking up a try and losing bonus point to carry them above France and into second.

Ireland had a late Sam Prendergast penalty to thank for victory, while their first-half scores came from Fionn Gibbons, James McCormick, Lorcan McLoughlin and a penalty try.

England finished with six tries to their name but still fell on the wrong side of the result, with two conversions striking the upright ultimately costing them. George Hendy, Alex Harnes, Lewis Chessum, Mikey Summerfield and Iwan Stephens crossed for Alan Dickens’ side.

 

Key Player – Lorcan McCoughlin

In a frenzied and error-strewn first half, Ireland’s Lorcan McLoughlin stood out. The No.8 sparked Ireland’s early turnaround, breaking through the England line before offloading to Gibbons for a score under the sticks.

He then finished off the move which saw Ireland take the lead for the first time after McCormick and Crothers combined at the lineout.

It was another all-action display from Ulster’s McLoughlin, who topped the Irish charts for carries and tackles on his only previous start against France in Round 1.

And he stayed the duration, on hand at the death to force a turnover from England’s Chandler Cunningham-South which clinched the win.

 

Play of the game – An Ireland score straight off the training ground

Prior to this contest, nearly every attacking lineout in the Summer Series has consisted of a conventional catch and drive. The results have often been devastating too, see Georgia’s three first-half scores against Wales, the best of the bunch.

And England were perhaps expecting something similar from Ireland when McCormick lined up to throw between England’s 10 and 22-metre lines.

Then, from nowhere, emerged Reuben Crothers. The flanker gathered McCormick’s low pass at the front of the line before returning the ball to the Ulsterman who tore away down the left flank.

That smart link-up carried Ireland just short of the England line, and it was left to McLoughlin to power his way through from close range.

 

Key talking point – That early Irish turnaround

Having already lost their opening two matches of the tournament, Ireland seemed to be heading for a third straight defeat when England raced into a 14-0 lead after just five minutes.

But Richie Murphy’s men soon showed why they are the reigning Six Nations Under-20s champions and within 20 minutes had turned the game on its head.

Centre Gibbons was first to score, latching onto a pass from Lorcan McLoughlin after the No.8 had evaded two tackles. McCormick then bulldozed his way over from close-range to level the scores, before a penalty try was awarded Ireland’s way after Rekeiti Ma’asi-White was adjudged to have stopped a certain score for Dylan O’Grady with a high tackle.

That third score completed a remarkable 13-minute turnaround which was made all the more impressive in light of Ireland’s struggles, particularly early on in matches, in their previous Summer Series fixtures.

 

Key moment – England’s fourth score

Not only did Mikey Summerfield’s try after 53 minutes bring England back to within a score, but it also secured their place ahead of Ireland in Pool A.

Those two bonus points meant that even with victory, Ireland could not not overtake England in the Pool standings.

That England score seemed to deflate Murphy’s side, who failed to muster a try thereafter, but they did ultimately come out on top thanks to Prendergast's boot.

Despite a positive final result in the group, Ireland will be sorely disappointed with their campaign having performed so strongly in the Six Nations Under-20s earlier this year.

The Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series takes place from 24 June – 12 July. Fans can watch every match live. For more information visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHm6BFw-9JRA1CMekNLwMg